opinions
•
editorial opinion
Leave the field for the athletes
"I hope peer pressure and general good
sense will take hold of the students."
Herb Schmidt, director of athletic opera-
This weekend, college football once again
returns to campus. It's time to get out the
blue and white pom-poms, the Penn State
buttons, the food for tailgates . . .
It's also time to recall the damage caused
during last year's football season when
over-enthusiastic fans rushed the football
field to tear down Beaver Stadium's goal
posts.
The athletic department spent about $9,-
500 just to replace the goal posts torn down
during three games last year. And accord
ing to Schmidt, the department had to spend
an additional $l,OOO last year to have the
posts painted and set into the field.
Schmidt said the. money to replace the,
goal posts was generated by the department
through gate receipts and television con
tracts. However, the students also paid for
the damage by forfeiting $4,500 offered to
them by the athletic department if the posts
were not destroyed.
Head Football Coach Joe Paterno also
pledged to personally donate $5OO to a
scholarship fund for needy students if fans
refrained from any more destructive ac
tion.
Schmidt said the department had consid
ered replacing the aluminum goal posts
with cheaper, wooden ones, but decided the
possible splintering of the posts would cause
even more problems.
The goal posts were not the only objects to
be damaged in the stampedes onto the field.
At least four students last year were injured
seriously enough on the field to require
medical treatment, said David Stormer,
director of University safety. Other stu-
pressed, on the editorial pages are tors composed of students, faculty
datry collegian not necessarily those of The Daily and professionals. Students of The
Collegian, Collegian Inc. or The Pennsylvania State University write
Pennsylvania State University. and edit both papers and solicit
Collegian Inc., publishers of The advertising material for them. The
Daily Collegian and related publica- Daily Collegian is published Mon
tions, is a separate corporate insti- day, Tuesday, Thursday and Friday
Susan M. Melle tution from Penn State. during the summer, and distributed
Business Manager at the University Park campus. The
About the Collegian: The Daily Weekly Collegian is mailed to Com-
The Daily Collegian's editorial opin- Collegian and The Weekly Colle- monwealth campus students, par
ion is determined by its Board .of gian are published by Collegian ents of students, alumni and other
Opinion, with the editor holding Inc., an independent, non-profit subscribers who want to keep
final responsibility. Opinions ex- corporation with a board of direc- abreast of University news.
Friday, Sept. 7, 1984
01984 Collegian Inc.
Alecia Swasy
Editor
swf
v0!44
Oh God, whatever happened to the free and easy life?
I said goodbye to my house, this past
weekend. Yes, the house where I spent the
last ten years of my life is just a memory
now. It has been sold, cleaned out and
turned over to its new inhabitants. As a
result, my sisters and I have left home for
good, to try and make it on our own. Sudden
ly I feel old. I guess things will never be the
same. The implications are scary.
~.??.11;
I .
There will be no more Parent's Bank and
Trust for long term, low interest loans and
specialized funding. Unlimited meal service
is replaced by a food budget, infrequent
trips to the supermarket, and occasional
starvation. Bills and chronic debt become a
dents received minor cuts and bruises
The occurrence of "football field inju
ries" last year was not unique to Penn
State. A Harvard University freshman, 18-
year-old Margaret Cimino, was critically
injured when she and about 500 other stu
dents rushed onto the Yale Bowl field to tear
down that stadium's goal posts after a
Harvard victory. Cimino is still under medi
cal treatment today for neurological inju
ries sustained in that accident.
Fortunatetly, none of the injuries in Bea
ver Stadium have been as serious as that
one yet. But it should not take a major
catastrophe on the field to stop this irre
sponsible and expensive show of support for
the team.
This year, the University has posted the
field with "no trespassing" signs, and state
police officers will be on hand in the stands
and on the field to control the crowds,
Stormer said. Unauthorized people on the
field will be subject to arrest and prosecu
tion.
Stormer also said the University will
initiate the use of videotape on the field to
help identify offenders.
But both Stormer and Schmidt say they
hope reason will prevail and that arrests
will be used only as a last resort.
Avoiding arrest should be simple for fans,
as long as they stay off the football field and
away from the goal posts when the football
game is over. And at the same time, they
can avoid the expenses and, more impor
tantly; the injuries which will surely occur
if the goal posts are torn down again.
Perhaps there is no better way of spend
ing a cool September day than watching a
Penn State football game. But let's watch
the game from the stands and leave the
field for those who rightfully belong on it
the athletes.
AN lama OP 9.14 E
way of life as unemployment takes on a bold
new meaning.
To top it all off, one of my best friends is
getting married this weekend! What's going
on here!?
I guess I should have seen it coming. It
really didn't sink in until I headed out of my
hometown for the last time this past Labor
Day. I loaded down my car with the last of
my worldly possessions and headed straight
into my bright, sunny future, or so I
thought.
Unfortunately, I headed directly into the
worst thunderstorm I've ever driven in.
Feeling like a downtrodden Oakie, a la
"The Grapes of Wrath," I was convinced
that the stuff tied down on the roof of my car
would fly off and through the windshield of
the driver behind me, killing him and send
ing me to jail forever. Eventually, however,
I made it to Happy Valley, albeit way
behind schedule and a little worse for the
wear.
Giving some thought to my new situation I
decided to take some drastic action. Now
I'm not much of a practicing Christian, but I
figured a little praying might be in order, so
I summoned that great guidance counselor
in the sky.
"God," I demanded, "What the hell is
going on?"
There was a long pause before a deep,
authoritative voice boomed, "Watch your
tone young man!"
"Sorry," I said meekly, "I guess I lost my
head."
"Name?"
"Gary, er, Gary Talbot."
"Who?"
"Come on, you remember me."
"Let's see. (long pause) Ah yes, here you
are. It's been a while, hasn't it Gary?"
"Well, I've been kind of busy. You know
how it is."
"Of course I do. What seems to be the
problem," the voice inquired.
"It's this adult thing, you know, living on
your own and all that. It's got me down in
the dumps."
"Ah yes, finding it a little demanding are
"Quite, it's too much too soon. I don't
think I'm ready."
reader opinion
Tragic elemeni
As we enter the 1984-85 football season, I would like to
take this opportunity to note that Penn State's football
program is a source of great pride to the University, its
students, alumni, and friends. Ours is a nationally recog
niZed and respected program that has been developed
through much hard work and dedication over the years.
Penn State football is an asset unequaled at other univer
sities.
The recent trend toward tearing down goal posts after
football games has not been good for intercollegiate
football. Such behavior introduces an unfortunate and
sometimes tragic element into the festivities which are so
much a part of collegiate football. Tearing down the goal
posts can result in serious injuries to innocent bystanders.
We had a number of such incidents occur on our campus
during the 1983-84 season, although none were as serious
as the tragic injuring of Margaret Cimino at the Harvard-
Yale game last year.
It is my hope that we will determine this year that the
practice of tearing down goal posts is a trend which has
passed and 'which will not tarnish the fine _spirit and
tradition of Penn State football this season.
We look forward to an exciting, successful, and safe
football season for the 1984-85 academic year.
Bryce Jordan, president-The Pennsylvania State Univer
sity
Sept. 3
He's America!
You are right, Mr. Smith ("Giving up chewing gum to
save a quarter so you can eat caviar," Sept. 5) : Ignorance
is bliss; but I am certain that you already know. Rather
than spending your tax refund on "yeast urine," maybe
you should have enrolled in a Philosophy of Logic course.
As for your definition of a middle class income
($13,000), I suppose I'm extremely wealthy ( which simply
is not true). And from your definition of a moderately
wealthy family, I must be as poor as a church mouse
(which is equally untrue). However, one thing is true. I
am a helluva lot better off than I was four years ago, and
so is the majority of this country.
Uncle Ronny put the economy back on track, reduced
unemployment, inflation, interest rates, and brought
respect and national pride back to the forefront of
international relations. Under his leadership, not one inch
of free soil has fallen to the Communists. Once again, I
am proud to say I am American.
So Uncle Ronny didn't reduce the national debt, big deal
no one can (at least not in four years). Do you think
Mondale can? He can't even pick a running mate.
Yes, Uncle Ronny has made America great again! Oh
Watt, Burford, and Lavelle weren't, the greatest, but what
about Bert Lance, Ferraro, and those pathetic four years
of national despair and dishonor under Carter and Mon
dale? Sure, we all make mistakes, but the Democrats are
a bunch of circus clowns (just take a look at Tip O'Neill).
My fellow Americans, let me make one thing perfectly
clear; Fool me once, shame on you Fool me twice,
oysiootyi
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"Well, maybe it's time you became more
responsible, pary"
RESPONSIBLE?!! I was taken by sur
prise. What happened to the carefree life,
free and easy, like in the Mountain Dew
commercials?
"You can still enjoy life. Just make sure
you're accountable for your actions. You're
an adult now, so act like one."
"Does this mean I have to be serious all
the time; and polite to everyone, and say
things that sound intellectual, and watch
'Nightline' with Ted Koppel?"
"Well, I wouldn't go that far, but a little
maturity wouldn't hurt."
"But God, am I going to have to cook my
own meals and do the dishes myself? Do I
have to do my own laundry?"
"Does a bear excrete in the woods?"
"What about the standard of living I'm
used to?"
"You'll have to economize."
"You mean like pitchers of Stroh's in
stead of kama kazi's?"
"Exactly."
"But what if I'm short of money to buy the
The Daily Collegian
Friday, Sept. 7, 1984
shame on me. Nobody can be stupid enough to vote for
Mondale not again. But as for Uncle Ronny, he's our
man. He's not only the president he's' America.
Without a doubt, Happy Days Are Here Again, and the
Democrats know it too. Ronald Reagan has made Ameri
ca great again. We are once again what we used to be, the
envy of the world.
The moral of the story: Four More Years! For your
Uncle and mine, he may not be perfect, but he's almost
divine.
Michael A. Moyer, senior-foreign service and internation
al politics
Sept. 6
Never alone
Right now, I'm at a loss for words, but what I'm about
to write is one of those stories with a moral It that a
fable?
Once upon a time, there were two girls one light and
, tall, the•other dark and short— who enjoyed running. For
as long as either can remember, they always ran together
as a , team. After time, the two runners parted and had to
adjustio running alone. Both seemed to be doing fine until
one runner went out on her daily run alone one evening. It
was dark but she had done it before many times so why
would tonight be any different?
It was. The runner was attacked.
Moral: Females, if you run at night, NEVER run alone.
And if you do, when the time "it" happens, it will be your
fault.
Here's to safer running
Name withheld by request
Sept 6.
Garden of Eden
There is a place in the inner city of New York called the
"Garden of Eden" where one free-thinking man has given
20 years of his lifetime to planting and nurturing a flower
and vegetable garden on the amphitheater left by the
foundation of a long-forgotten, but once modern 10-story
office - building.
This small place is used freely by the urban residents
around it and loved by those who only pass by it.
Now the surrounding area is to be renovated by the city
government to construct new buildings to further the
progress of mankind. The garden will be torn out and
paved as a new foundation area not a great loss
perhaps, except for the spirit and minds of those who
knew it.
Such a place is the campus greenhouse area of Penn
State University, one of the few remnants of the charm
that once hallmarked the Penn State campus milieu.
Surely any plans for more high-rise construction to
serve the University can be located elsewhere so this
small garden may remain.
W. A. Wertz, PSU Class of 1950
Tyrone, PA
Aug. 31
things I need? What'll I do then?"
"Get a Visa card."
"But God, I'm afraid I won't be able to
find a job when I graduate."
"Then maybe you should show some
discipline and take college more seriously."
Suddenly my worst fears had been real
ized. I trembled as I feebly asked, "Do you
mean my classes?"
"Of course I mean your classes. You need
better grades if you want a job."
"Yeah, I guess, but what if I don't?"
"Then you better hit the lotto."
"I can see that this is more than I bar
gained for. I'm going to have to sleep on this
for a while. I'll get back to you."
"You do that."
"In the mean time there's one more
question I'd like to ask of you."
"What's that?"
"Could you give me six numbers, from
one to forty, off the top of your head?"
Gary Talbot is a senior majoring in civil
engieering and a columnist for The Daily
Collegian.
IN THIS
CASE,ThE
t RED
sak.
opinions
1 eflation: Lower prices and higher productivity
While politicians are away, bashing ideolo
gies, garnering votes and promising every
thing to everyone, economists will play
with numbers, that is.
Current debate in the economics world
centers around why inflation hasn't yet taken
off.
\\-
„ .
, .
•
1,7
. .
, Indeed, all indicators real growth strong
but slowing'at around 7 percent, rising con
sumer and government spending would
lead anyone to believe inflation should be
climbing; but it's not.
,"What we have here is decelerating infla
, tion," says Penn State assistant professor of
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economics Robert Rosanna, formerly a se
nior economist at the Federal Reserve Bank
of Philadelphia. •
Yet, some supply-side economists say
prices may be falling in a deflationary trend.
In The Wall Street Journal, for example, Alan
Reynolds of Polyconomics Inc., ,an economics
research firm, notes that "gold and commod
ity futures (such as aluminum, copper, some
clothing and some agricultural goods) have
declined 20 percent since last fall." Usually in
a boom period, economists say, gold and
commodities act as inflation hedges: Their
prices rise in anticipation of higher inflation.
Also, the U.S. dollar remains strong not
just the fault of huge government deficits
at home and abroad. Typically, the dollar
begins a downimrd trend as inflation is
expected to rear its ugly head. "No inflation
in world history has been presaged by falling
commodity prices and a rising currency,"
Reynolds says.
Moreover, the highest short-term ( three to
six months) interest rates in over 50 years
are predicted to keep with their upward trend
with emphasis on three-month rates. As
and Others
interest-rate spreads widen between three
and six-month Treasury bills, Reynolds as
serts, there is an indication of "a high premi
um on immediate liquidity."
Premiums on immediate liquidity occur
when people will not keep money in any
interest-bearing security that might make its
future money-value decrease because of de
creasing prices. High short-term interest
rates may indicate that people are hoarding
cash, which thus implies there's not enough
money in the economy. And when there's not
enough money to buy goods, price cuts
deflation'— takes place.
All of the above leads to the Federal Re
serve: Some economists say the Fed is being
too tight with money; others say it's too loose.
"Money growth is up at about 9 percent,"
which is above the prescribed 3 percent
growth trend, Prof. Rosanna notes. Money
growth above 3 percent which is linked to
the economy's desired long-term growth rate
usually translates into higher inflation.
But, "I don't know why there is such low
inflation," he says.
Still, though, Prof. Rosanna doesn't see
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future price stability. "If I had my prefer
ences," he concludes, "I'd like the Fed to
tighten up some more."
Yet, The New York Times recently report
ed that even some Fed officials "have begun
to wonder whether the signs of deflation
suggest that they have gone too far in trying
to keep, pressure on inflation."
Indeed, if we look at recent runs on banks
Continental Illinois and more recently
Financial Corp. of America we see a bit of
confidecnce erosion, similar to that which
occurred in the Great Depression. Further-
More, Reynolds notes. that 91 banks have
failed in the last 18 months.
Prof. Rosanna attributes some of the
banks' problems to waning bank regulations.
Simply, he explains, many of those failed
banks weren't and some still aren't
suited for competition. "It takes a long time
to get the kind of people in there to keep
banks competitive," he adds.
The possibility of the Fed botching its job is
not ruled out, however. The fact is, he says,
there aren't too many empirical facts from
which to draw a valid conclusion.
The Daily Collegian Friday, Sept. 7, 1984-13
So what about these falling prices? I look at
it this way: If we are truly in, what some
argue, a "new high-tech industrial revolu
tion," then prices are expected to fall as
productivity increases, just as it happened in
our last industrial revolution. Falling prices,
after the double-digit inflation of the late
19705, should be welcomed.
I don't mean to say that we should forget
about a possible deflation. Neither over-in
flating nor under-inflating a car tire gives
maximum performance. The same goes for
an economy.
"True deflation is not a problem," says
Alan Greenspan, former chief economic advi
sor under president Gerald Ford, in The New
York Times. "With the first whiff of it the
worlds's central banks would start pumping
up their money supplies."
What Greenspan says may be true. But if
government has taught us anything it's not to
rely on government for anything.
Jeffrey J. Diecidue is a senior majoring in
journalism and economics, and is a columnist
for The Daily Collegian.
o mmosimaso ftoftte
44 416 ,
PAN